Pheasant pigeons, also known as Nicobar pigeons, are a species of large pigeon found in Southeast Asia. They inhabit islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelagos as well as smaller surrounding islands. Pheasant pigeons are most commonly found on the following islands:
- Andaman Islands (India)
- Nicobar Islands (India)
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Australia)
- Pulau Tioman (Malaysia)
- Enggano Island (Indonesia)
Pheasant pigeons are large, ground-dwelling pigeons with long legs and tails. They have an iridescent green and purple plumage on their neck that has been likened to the colors of a peacock. This striking plumage is where their name comes from, as they resemble a male peafowl.
Pheasant pigeons are found exclusively on small, forested islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They inhabit tropical rainforests and scrublands. Their range extends from the Andaman Islands west towards the Nicobar Islands, and further south to islands off the coasts of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal between India, Myanmar, and Thailand. This group of over 500 islands are home to the majority of the world’s pheasant pigeon population.
The pheasant pigeon was once found on many of the islands in these archipelagos but is now restricted to only 10-15 islands due to habitat loss and hunting. The largest populations remain on Little Andaman, Great Nicobar, Katchal, and Teressa islands.
These forested islands provide ideal habitat for the pheasant pigeon. They inhabit tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen rainforests across the islands. Pheasant pigeons require large nesting and roosting trees and a diet of various fruits and berries found in their forest habitat.
Some key facts about pheasant pigeons on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
- Estimated population is 2,000 – 2,500 birds
- Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
- Legally protected under Indian wildlife laws
- Main threats are habitat loss and hunting
Conservation efforts on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands focus on protecting remaining rainforest habitat and limiting hunting through awareness campaigns among indigenous island residents.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean. The islands are located approximately 2,800 km northwest of Perth, Australia.
Pheasant pigeons were introduced to the Cocos Islands sometimes before 1920. They are abundant on the islands, with an estimated population of around 5,000 birds. This introduced population accounts for a significant portion of the global pheasant pigeon population.
The Cocos Islands consist of two coral atolls made up of 27 islands. Only two islands are inhabited – West Island and Home Island. Pheasant pigeons are found throughout the islands’ coconut palm plantations and remaining forested areas.
Key facts about pheasant pigeons on the Cocos Islands:
- Introduced population around 5,000 birds
- Abundant and easily observed on West and Home Islands
- Forage and nest in coconut palms and forested islands
- Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List
The pheasant pigeon population on the Cocos Islands is stable due to the lack of habitat loss and regulated hunting. They are considered a pest species by local island residents for raiding vegetable gardens.
Pulau Tioman, Malaysia
Pulau Tioman is an island located 32 km off the southeastern coast of peninsular Malaysia in the state of Pahang. Pheasant pigeons are native to Tioman Island and its surrounding islets.
The pheasant pigeon population on Pulau Tioman is estimated to be less than 50 individuals. They are found in lowland rainforest across the island, which covers an area of approximately 100 km2.
Tioman Island has experienced extensive deforestation, which has reduced the amount of suitable habitat available for pheasant pigeons. Hunting and poaching have also severely impacted the remaining population.
Some key facts about pheasant pigeons on Pulau Tioman:
- Native population less than 50 birds
- Restricted to lowland tropical rainforest
- Classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
- Major threats are habitat loss and poaching
Conservation efforts on the island include habitat protection and anti-poaching patrols. A captive breeding program has also been established to bolster the wild population.
Enggano Island, Indonesia
Enggano Island is located off the southwestern coast of Sumatra in Indonesia within the Bengkulu province. This remote, sparsely populated island provides important habitat for a number of endemic bird species, including the Enggano pheasant pigeon.
The Enggano pheasant pigeon is a subspecies found only on Enggano Island. The population is estimated to be less than 100 mature individuals.
Enggano is a small island of only 500 km2. Pheasant pigeons are found in lowland and hill forests across the island. Their habitat is threatened by illegal logging and land conversion for agriculture.
Key facts about pheasant pigeons on Enggano Island:
- The Enggano pheasant pigeon is an endemic subspecies
- Population estimated at less than 100 mature individuals
- Restricted to forest habitat on a single small island
- Classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
- Threatened by habitat loss and hunting
Protecting the island’s remaining forest habitat is crucial for conserving this unique pheasant pigeon subspecies. Enggano Island was declared a nature reserve in 2014 which affords some level of protection.
Other Locations
In addition to the major island populations described above, pheasant pigeons can be found on some smaller surrounding islands including:
- Nias Island, Indonesia
- Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
- Simeulue, Indonesia
- Banyak Islands, Indonesia
- Langkawi, Malaysia
Populations on these islands are small and threatened by hunting and habitat loss like on Enggano Island. Comprehensive surveys are lacking however, so the exact population sizes are unknown in most cases.
There are also small introduced populations on the islands of Hawaii and Tahiti. These were brought to the islands as pets or zoo specimens but sometimes escaped or were released. The Hawaii population may number between 50 – 100 birds.
Habitat and Ecology
Pheasant pigeons occupy tropical rainforest habitats on their various island homes. They prefer lowland or hill forest up to 1,000 m in elevation. The ideal conditions include:
- Tropical evergreen or semi-evergreen rainforest
- Emergent trees for nesting and roosting
- Understory with palm trees and woody vines
- Forest gaps and edges providing food
Pheasant pigeons areSpecialized Identifying Trends and Patterns ground-dwelling pigeons adapted to forest life. Some key aspects of their ecology and behavior:
- Feed on fallen fruits, berries, seeds, and invertebrates
- Build flimsy nests in trees, lay single white eggs
- Roost in emergent trees at night, either solitary or in pairs
- Can fly between islands but prefer to forage on the ground
- Threat displays include tail fanning and wing swishing
Unfortunately, pheasant pigeon habitat is declining across their range. Selective logging of nesting and roosting trees can be particularly detrimental. Maintaining intact, old growth rainforest is key for the long-term survival of pheasant pigeons.
Conservation Status and Threats
Globally, the pheasant pigeon is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, many island populations are Endangered or Critically Endangered.
The total population is estimated to be around 10,000 mature individuals based on counts from known island populations. The global population seems to be declining overall due to these key threats:
- Habitat loss from logging, agriculture, development
- Over-hunting and poaching for food and feathers
- Invasive predators like rats, cats, and lizards
- Climate change impacts on tropical forests
Safeguarding remaining habitat through protected areas and community engagement is the top conservation priority. Captive breeding, anti-poaching measures, and predator control also help protect populations.
Here is a table summarizing the conservation status of pheasant pigeons on their major island homes:
| Location | IUCN Red List Status | Estimated Population | Threats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Vulnerable | 2,000 – 2,500 | Habitat loss, hunting |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands | Least Concern | ~5,000 | None significant |
| Pulau Tioman | Critically Endangered | Less than 50 | Habitat loss, poaching |
| Enggano Island | Critically Endangered | Less than 100 | Habitat loss, hunting |
Conclusion
In conclusion, pheasant pigeons are found exclusively on small islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands host significant populations, while other island groups like the Cocos Islands, Pulau Tioman, and Enggano Island have much smaller numbers. Most populations face threats from habitat destruction and over-hunting. Conservation efforts on protected lands are needed to ensure the long-term survival of these colorful, fruit-eating pigeons in their island forest habitats. Further surveys and monitoring of small island populations should be a priority as well.
